Caretaker Government until elections!
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If peace is to be maintained within the country following the Easter Sunday attacks, a caretaker government should be established to replace the Ranil Wickremesinghe led government until the next Presidential election, said the President of the Sri Lanka National Council (SLNC) Venerable Athuraliye Rathana Thera during a media briefing held in Colombo yesterday.

He said during that period the government should not initiate the Counter Terrorism Bill or anything else.

Rathana Thera made these comments during the media briefing organised by the Sri Lanka National Council at the Rajagiriya Sadaham Sevana Buddhist Centre.

Sri Lanka National Council Venerable Athuraliye Rathana Thera

Expressing his views further, Rathana Thera said, “Subsequent to the Easter Sunday suicide attacks, a tense situation prevails in the country. One of the main reasons is the government’s failure to take appropriate decisions at the right time. Therefore, we intend to discuss a few issues with the President.

First, the disgruntlement and instability within the government should be understood and some sort of national council should be established. We propose that some form of national council made up of active organisations or persons. It does not necessarily have to include religious leaders.

This government should not act like a government headed by Ranil Wickremesinghe. This government should act as a caretaker government. We have a little time left until the Presidential election. We expect to have a presidential election definitely by the end of October.

Until such time this government should not do anything that would lead to controversy. Otherwise, the country can head towards uncertainty. As an example the Counter Terrorism Bill should not be brought in and the Joint Opposition has already expressed their opposition for it. As we feel, this Counter Terrorism Bill is not a solution to the current crisis. There are provisions within the Prevention of Terrorism Act to deal with the current situation.”

UNP preparing for new referendum – Mangala hints

'Now enough of this government’ – says Mangala

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said they have had enough of this government. He said the UNP should seek a referendum and establish a UNP government. The Finance Minister said this addressing the Matara electorate ‘Peace Council’ initiation programme.

“Frankly, we have had enough of this government. We need to move forward with a new government. We want to establish a UNP government and not a government that keeps pulling in opposite directions. This country needs a new government with a new face,” Minister Samaraweera said.